Chapter 11: Old Man Part 2

“I remember Zhou’gēr’s first word was ‘mother’ at that time.” Tang Song Nian thoughtfully glanced at his son at the couch, who was playing with his cloth tiger.

Ruan-shi casually dropped a sentence, “It’s true.” Then she lifted the curtain and went out.

Tang Song Nian put his daughter on the couch. Seeing that there were only three of them in the room, he smiled and wheedled her, “Little Treasure, say ‘father’.”

Xu Yun Yao moved her little ass to face him sideways. Zhou’gēr glanced at his father and lowered his head to continue playing with his cloth tiger.

Seeing that the little girl ignored him, Tang Song Nian did not give up, “Dear Little Treasure, if you say ‘father’, I will take you out to play tomorrow.”

Going out? Xu Yun Yao’s mind moved. She always stayed in the house every day and felt stuffy. If she could go out for a walk, it would be perfect.

But… calling him father, no!

She moved her little butt again, turning her to him.

Tang Song Nian frowned. He suddenly held out his hand and scratched at the girl’s armpit. “Calling or not; Calling or not?”

Xu Yun Yao was ashamed and angered at the same time. While avoiding his evil clutches, she giggled due to tickling.

Old man, stop it, stop it!

Zhou’gēr heard his sister’s laughter, and he stopped playing with his cloth tiger. Holding his cheek, he looked at his father, who was playing tricks on her sister. For a moment, he sighed like an adult.

Ah, poor sister…

Tang Song Nian was also afraid that the little girl had laughed too much. After scratching a few times, he appropriately stopped. Looking at her daughter’s flushed face due to laughter and her pair of dark obsidian-like eyes soaked with tears, shining brightly, he couldn’t help but smile.

The next moment, he heard the little girl utter two words: “Old… man!”

He suddenly froze and then heard his son behind him, shouting while heading out.

“Mother, sister said ‘old man’; sister said ‘old man’…”

Xu Yun Yao originally wanted to scold him with “fart old man”, but those three words were still a little difficult for her now. After a long time of holding back, she finally spoke, “Old man.”

She noticed Tang Song Nian’s distracted look while rooted in his place. Not knowing his reaction, she called out, “Old Man!”

The words were sounding clearer.

Ruan-shi, who hurried into the room, clearly heard it. Listening to her “daughter’s” words clearly, she remained silent for a moment.

“Ah’Ru, Wife, am I that old?” Tang Song Nian looked at her with injustice.

He is not yet of age. How can he become an old man?

Ruan-shi couldn’t help laughing. She had clearly listened to her daughter saying ‘old man’ and instantly saw her husband’s face collapse.

“Madam ~ ~” Tang Song Nian’s handsome face was dark, full of resentment.

Ruan-shi knew she should not laugh, but the smile on her face could not contain itself. She covered her mouth with her handkerchief and giggled incessantly.

That night, the moonlight was illuminating the room through the screen window, reflecting the children lying on the small bed.

Xu Yun Yao was half-dreaming and half-awake. She suddenly felt a person standing beside the bed. A somewhat familiar fragrance floated into her nose, and in an instant, her taut body suddenly relaxed again.

It’s the old man’s steamed stuffed bun lady…

Ruan-shi noticed that her daughter seemed to have signs of awakening, so she gently patted her across the thin quilt and lovingly hummed a soft tune to lull her to sleep.

With a tender but intense love song floating in her ears, her body felt the patting action with obvious soothing meaning, Xu Yun Yao somewhat lost her spirit.

This… is this a mother’s feeling?

Unconsciously, she felt her nose was somewhat sour. Would her biological mother be as gentle and loving as this steamed stuffed bun lady? Would she coax her to sleep like she was doing?

Her memory before the age of five had long been blurred, only knowing that the family situation was not good. Otherwise, she would not be sold everywhere.

Suddenly a warm touch was printed on her forehead, and she froze, feeling Ruan-shi gently tucking her into the quilt’s corner. Seemingly thinking that she had fallen asleep, a moment later, the door was gently opened and closed. The noise then sounded one after another. She smacked her lips, murmured a few words, turned over, and soon fell asleep again.

Ruan-shi returned to the main room and saw her husband looking left and right at the bronze mirror. Later on, he picked up the razor and shaved off the short beard that had been on for some time.

“Earlier, did you not say that it makes you think you have more dignity as an official? Why are you scraping it all off?” Ruan-shi didn’t understand.

To be continue